500 Days of Summer

The Blu-ray presentation of "(500) Days of Summer" is a visually tender experience, showcasing a 2.40:1 framed, 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that, despite its occasionally softer focus, is a testament to the intentional aesthetic choices made by the filmmakers. This subtle softness does not detract but rather complements the film's emotional texture, allowing for a gentle representation of its themes and characters. The detail is commendable, capturing the intricacies of the actors' expressions—like the remarkable clarity of Zooey Deschanel's eyelashes—while maintaining a pervasive softness that enhances rather than diminishes the overall visual narrative. The color palette is meticulously chosen, eschewing primary colors for a mix of creamy, neutral tones reminiscent of vintage Polaroid photos, with strategic uses of blue accentuating key emotional beats and characters.

Contrast and black levels are expertly handled, crafting images with depth and a palpable sense of presence without losing detail in darker scenes. The film's unique use of color, especially the varied shades of blue to emphasize Deschanel's eyes, contributes significantly to its visual storytelling, as revealed during a Sundance Q&A session with Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Skin tones are faithfully reproduced, with minimal deviations potentially attributed to the deliberate use of filters to enhance mood at specific moments. This Blu-ray transfer manages to convey both the director's original vision and the atmospheric quality of the theatrical experience with fidelity and precision.

Compression artifacts are conspicuously absent, ensuring that the visual presentation remains pristine across its entirety. Even scenes purposefully shot on 16mm and presented in a windowboxed format integrate seamlessly, preserving the film's grain structure and contributing to its overall aesthetic coherence. The Blu-ray disc, with its dual-layer 50GB capacity, accommodates the film's bitrate demands comfortably, providing viewers with an experience that is both faithful to the cinematic release and tailored to the strengths of home theater environments.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound track for "(500) Days of Summer" is a competent, though unsurprising, endeavor that matches the expectations set by the genre’s audio standards. Primarily front-centric, the mix focuses on delivering crystal-clear dialogue through the center channel, ensuring that every word of the screenplay's life-altering conversations is easily discernible. The soundstage is constructed to be natural and convincing, with a balanced execution that leans heavily on the film's well-curated musical selections. These tracks, spanning both the score and an array of pop songs, are presented with detailed clarity and a modest but appreciable bass response, enriching the overall audio experience without overwhelming it.

However, the mix does exhibit some limitations, particularly in its engagement of the surround channels. While ambient sounds from city streets and office spaces occasionally fill the room, and specific scenes like a bustling wedding party make a modest attempt at enveloping the viewer, these efforts often feel subdued. The sound design shies away from truly immersive experiences, with surround effects feeling more like afterthoughts rather than integral aspects of the environment. Additionally, the Low Frequency Effects (LFE) channel sees scant use, activating during certain musical moments to add depth but generally staying muted, falling short of its potential impact even within the constraints of a romance-comedy's audio landscape.

Voices remain the focal point throughout, tethered mainly to the center channel for clarity and emphasis. The resultant soundstage, while lacking in dynamic surround engagement and powerful LFE contributions, provides a fundamentally solid auditory counterpart to the narrative. It carries itself with a composed, albeit reserved energy, crafting an audio presentation that complements the film’s essence without striving for auditory spectacle. This creates a serviceable, if not particularly memorable, listening experience that aligns with genre conventions and supports the storytelling without daring to detract or distract.

The Blu-ray extras for "(500) Days of Summer" offer a rich and varied insight into the film’s creation process, buoyed by the enthusiastic participation of key team members. The light-hearted and insightful commentary track featuring Director Marc Webb, writers Michael Weber and Scott Neustadter, alongside actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, stands out for its engaging nature. Despite some segments being in SD which may disappoint quality purists, the mix of HD and exclusive Blu-ray content provides an in-depth look at the filmmaking journey. The deleted and extended scenes are a noteworthy highlight, revealing the thoughtful deliberation behind each cut. However, viewers may find it beneficial to watch these scenes without commentary initially, to fully grasp their content before delving into the behind-the-scenes chatter. Overall, the special features navigate through the humor, challenges, and dedication that shaped this beloved film, despite some inconsistencies in video quality.

Extras included in this disc:

Commentary by Director Marc Webb, Writer Michael Weber, Writer Scott Neustadter, and Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt: Engaging track with vibrant discussions.

Last Days of Summer: Deleted and Extended Scenes: An insightful collection of cut scenes from the film.

Not a Love Story: Making (500) Days of Summer: An in-depth documentary on the film's production.

Summer at Sundance: A look into the film's premiere and reception at Sundance.

Audition Tapes: Audition clips for Geoffrey Arend and Matthew Gray Gubler.

Summer Storyboards: Storyboard sequences with a film comparison option.

Bank Dance Directed by Marc Webb: A music video featuring Zooey Deschanel.

Mean's Cinemash: Sid and Nancy / (500) Days of Summer: A humorous mash-up short.

Music Video: Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap: A music video associated with the film.

Conversations with Zooey and Joseph: Promotional conversations covering a range of topics.

Filmmaking Specials: Behind-the-scenes featurettes on various production aspects.

Trailers: High definition trailers for related movies.

The movie section of the Blu-ray presentation of "(500) Days of Summer" is a testament to the film's enduring charm and emotional depth, as well as its departure from conventional romantic comedy tropes. At its core, the film is a narrative rich in complexity, exploring the tumultuous journey of love through the eyes of Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel). The non-linear storytelling captivates; by juxtaposing moments of joy and despair across the titular 500 days, it offers a more authentic recounting of a relationship's rise and fall. This approach not only enhances the film's realism but also its relatability, ensuring that Tom and Summer's story resonates with anyone who has navigated the unpredictable waters of love. The performance by Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel is noteworthy, bringing depth and authenticity to their characters, underscoring the film's break from traditional romantic narratives.

Director Marc Webb deftly employs an array of cinematic techniques to enrich the storytelling. Innovative uses of split-screen sequences, coupled with unexpected dashes of musical exuberance, underscore the film’s emotional landscape without ever feeling contrived. These artistic choices serve to amplify the film’s central theme: reality versus expectations in love, capturing the dichotomy of hope and heartbreak inherent in human connections. Moreover, the film’s aesthetic, bolstered by its eclectic music selection and visual style, offers a modern take on romance that feels both timeless and distinctly contemporary.

This Blu-ray presentation reaffirms "(500) Days of Summer" as a standout piece of cinema that transcends the indie rom-com label to which it might initially be consigned. The film’s strength lies in its ability to mesh humor with heartache, fantasy with reality, and in doing so, it crafts a love story that is as endearing as it is poignant. The performances by Levitt and Deschanel, combined with Webb's innovative direction, ensure that this film remains a relevant and touching exploration of love’s complexities long after the first viewing.

(500) Days of Summer shines as a beacon within the romantic comedy genre, breaking free from clichés and sentimentality to present a narrative that is as genuine as it is affecting. It stands out not just for its storytelling but also for the distinctly refreshing performances and the stylish execution that Marc Webb brings to the table as a first-time director. This film encapsulates the tumultuous aftermath of love, delivering a viewing experience that resonates with a wide audience, promising engagement for couples of any stage – though, proceed with caution if your relationship is on rocky grounds. Confirming its place as a personal favorite for many, it boasts an originality and spunk, highlighted by an exceptional Han Solo reference that is sure to delight fans.

On the technical front, the Blu-ray release of (500) Days of Summer presents a stellar video quality that is stunningly clear and wonderfully rendered, making every scene pop with life and creativity. However, it is noted that the audio presentation might not meet the same high standard set by the visual components, leaving some room for improvement in this area. Despite this slight drawback, the Blu-ray release does justice to the film's beautifully fun and delightful essence, ensuring that viewers are treated to a charming and expertly crafted cinematic experience.

In conclusion, (500) Days of Summer on Blu-ray comes highly recommended for its ability to deliver a romantic comedy that is both enjoyable and profound. It impresses with its clear video presentation and creative storytelling, making it a must-have for fans of the genre and cinephiles alike. While the audio could have been enhanced further, the overall quality of this release solidifies its status as a remarkable film that effectively captures the complexities of love and relationships.